Greco has recorded albums for the Columbia/Epic and Reprise record labels, and other minor labels. His most popular albums were On Stage and Buddy's Back in Town, both with Columbia. His most successful single was "The Lady is a Tramp", which sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.[3] Greco recorded an album entitled Movin' On which included his version of the Marvin Gaye standard "What's Going On". Greco recorded sporadically after this album, but he continued performing live shows, and has performed in most of the top nightclubs in the world. His last nationally charted record was "From Atlanta to Goodbye", on the Scepter Records label, which made Billboard's Easy Listening Top 40 in 1969.

During the prime of his career, Greco had the privilege of working with a lot of the upcoming performers of the era, including Ron Eschete, with whom he working during the years 1969 to 1970 during their tour. The pair also had a lot of publicity together, appearing on many TV shows such as The Mike Douglas Show.[4]

Greco performed the vocal theme to the 1972 film Something to Hide, "How Can We Run Away (Theme From Something to Hide)", which was composed by Roy Budd (uncredited on the film).[5]

In 1992, Greco took on a thirteen week stint in Las Vegas at the Starlight Room at Stars' Desert Inn. This brought about his second big hit at fame, as he became very popular. The following year in 1993, he was given the great honour of being added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame. Shortly after this he took off on a world tour visiting places such as Italy, France, Australia and England.[9]

In 2008, Greco toured the UK with Anders. Together they performed dates with the BBC Big Band and played at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Greco was the first Las Vegas headliner to star at a British casino when he performed in cabaret on 8 August 2008 at the Circus Casino, Star City, Birmingham.[10][11] In April 2010 he performed a live concert for BBC Radio 2 with the 42-piece BBC Concert Orchestra as a salute to Frank Sinatra. He toured the UK for over 30 dates from July 2010 with the Swinging Las Vegas Legends Show. He has produced, with his wife of 15 years, vocalist Lezlie Anders, a stage show titled 'FEVER! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee', which has met with critical acclaim, and opened in London's West End in the spring of 2010.[10]

In 2012, Greco has been enjoying touring around England, performing in slightly smaller venues, including Thameside Theatre Stage,[13] and The Broadway in Essex.[14]

Together with his wife, one of his latest accomplishments is the creation of their musical, Fever! The Story and Music of Peggy Lee. The inspiration from this came mainly from his wife, who was close friends with Peggy Lee, the American jazz singer. The show has been given great acclaim and critic reviews are outstanding. The show did a large tour of the US where it was openly welcomed. The show tells of both the life and music of Peggy Lee and all her accomplishments. Buddy's part in the show falls down to conducting the orchestra and playing the piano, whilst spouse Leslie takes centre stage to sing.[15]

It is well known that Greco and spouse were close friends of Marilyn Monroe, and he admits to being one of the last to have seen her, along with close friend Frank Sinatra. He described her as beautiful and not having a care in the world. Only a few days later did she die.[16]

In 2006, it was first announced that Buddy Greco would be writing an autobiography, though to date one has yet to be published. He often talked about it in interviews and hinted towards the content. If it is anything to go by what was said, the book when published will stir up the past and many rumours as it is said to include some very detailed, and never before heard information about the final weekend he and Sinatra spent with Marilyn Monroe, before her death a few days later. It is also meant to include in depth information about his close friend of fifty years, Frank Sinatra. Alongside this, it will talk about his life in the industry and his progress from group singer to solo singer and jazz pianist. The book is said to be called, What Town Is This?[17]

2013 saw Greco's 80th year in the show business and entertainment industry. This was celebrated through a concert which was dedicated it him and took place in Southend, Essex. The night consisted of a meal, cocktails, a show of video footage of the man himself throughout the years, not to mention several friends and fellow performers who came along and sang. Stars such as the Rat pack Cast, Atila, Kenny Lynch, Paul Young, Michelle Collins were present to celebrate his career and also took part throughout the evening. Buddy himself along with his wife took to the stage and they performed together.[18]

Greco, who was born in Philadelphia, had a tough upbringing in a hard part of town. His parents were not wealthy, In fact, his father worked as a music critic who struggled to find work. Having first hit the big time at the age of 18, a mere teenager, he struggled to keep his head level and admits to constant partying, drinking and many holidays.[20] His first taste of music was through his mother, who was a musician. She introduced him to the piano, which he began playing at the age of four. He was first classical trained, playing the typical student music. It wasn't until he first heard mass that he fell in love with the piano and what it could do. It was in the 1940s that he was first signed, only a couple of years after having been first introduced to jazz and pop music.[21] As a young man in his early years of fame, it has been said that Greco mixed with many people, including mafiosos and boss Sam Giancana, who's been linked to the CIA and was anonymously shot dead.[17]

Greco met current partner, Lezlie Anders just after she had made the big time and was performing in Las Vegas. Their first meeting was when they stepped out on stage together, as she was a support act for him at The Desert Inn. Now married, they continue to work together and travel together, with a combination of singing duets, or often Buddy humbly plays piano, whilst his wife sings.[15]

Whilst living in Palm Springs, Greco chose to open his own club, all be it small, with a cocktail bar and dining area large enough for just short of one hundred people. Plastered all over the walls are pictures, of Buddy, the Rat Pack and many other celebrity friends, the whole room being arranged by his wife Lezlie. Buddy often performs in his own club, and it was a very popular place for stars to dine, before its shutting down just before Greco moved his permanent residency to England.[22]

Greco is very fond of the UK, having first been acquainted with it in 1949. He spent years performing in many clubs around England, mainly the Southend. Now that Buddy has more time to relax, he has relocated to Essex in England where he lives and spends the majority of his time, though he still possesses his house in Palm Springs, California, where he often spends his vacations.[20]

Due to his hard upbringing, Buddy wants to give back all the opportunities that he was given that led to the successful life which he lives. He is doing this by giving out free masterclasses to aspiring pianists. He himself did not own a piano as a child and his only opportunity to practise was to attend the local community centre where classes were being run. Although classes will mainly be held by teachers, Buddy will get involved with the fundraising to keep the project alive, as well as the masterclasses which he will hold. Wife Lezlie Anders has also agreed to help out with this worthwhile cause.[23]

There wasn't a key for the front door either and when I asked why, the preacher said he hadn't needed to lock it in 40 years. “My wife Scotty was with me and my good friend [easy-listening crooner] Buddy Greco.” Sanders, an honorary member of the Rat ...

After years in Las Vegas and performing all over the world, why did you decide to settle in the UK? Oh, it's a very long story. We had a lot of shows and an agent friend of mine said: “I've got a perfect spot, halfway between wherever you want to go ...

That was before Buddy Greco arrived in the Southend suburb. Now Westcliff's main attraction is an American star and spotting the last remaining member of the Rat Pack striding the Essex sands while humming Around The World is fast becoming a local ...

FORMER Rat Pack member Buddy Greco is leaving south Essex to move back to America, but says Southend is the best place he's lived. The Philadelphia-born 87-year-old jazz singer and pianist is moving back to the United States with his wife Lezlie ...

Michael Buble loves him, so does Harry Connick Jnr – it can only be Buddy Greco, one of the original Rat Pack recording artists. The jazz pianist and singer was studied by the musicians when forming their acts. The legendary performer who, on New Year ...

FORMER Hollywood Rat Pack star Buddy Greco is hoping to inspire the next generation of pianists by offering free musical masterclasses. Buddy, 85, part of the legendary Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davies Jnr gang in the Fifties, will offer ...

I saw the name of [a] performer whom I loved, Buddy Greco," Frish says. "I love him. I love the swinging style. The music was totally different from the Soviet. No marches. No songs about Communist Party. I loved this music. And I came to the radio ...

Graham is in conversation with historian and broadcaster Russell Davies who talks about the history of the saxophone and his favourite players. Also he chats to American trombonist Nat Peck who came to Britain 71 years ago on June 28th as part of ...

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